Regional

10:27 am

Thu April 29, 2010

Clergy Group To Challenge Immigration Law

Arizona – A Latino clergy group says it will file the first lawsuit challenging Arizona's tough new law targeting illegal immigration.

The National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders plans to file the suit Thursday in federal court in Phoenix.

A draft copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Associated Press shows the group will ask a judge to issue an injunction preventing authorities from enforcing the law.

The group plans to argue that federal law pre-empts state regulation of national borders and that Arizona's law violates due-process rights by allowing pretrial detention of suspected illegal immigrants.

Other Hispanic and civil rights groups are also planning lawsuits, and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the federal government may challenge the law.